§ Mr. GaleTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals she has to regulate the bundling of satellite television channels carried by cable television systems. [30405]
§ Mrs. Roche[holding answer 19 February 1998]: The Office of Fair Trading has twice reviewed the position of BSkyB in the wholesale programme supply market to cable, most recently in a review carried out in 1996. As a result of those reviews BSkyB have given certain undertakings to meet the Director General of Fair Trading's concerns. He continues to keep this market under review. In addition, the Independent Television Commission is currently investigating the practice of "bundling".
§ Mr. GaleTo ask the President of the Board of Trade when she expects to announce a determination relating to the application by BT to be allowed to carry television signals over BT telephone lines. [30404]
103W
§ Mrs. Roche[holding answer 19 February 1998]: The Government are considering carefully the options available for fulfilling their manifesto commitments on lifting the broadcast restrictions which affect BT amongst others. We are determined to maximise the benefit to the consumer, by encouraging investment and competition in all areas of the market; both infrastructure and services.
I expect to publish our conclusions shortly.